GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 4 definitions

  1.       
    
    Avail , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Availed (); p. pr. & vb. n. Availing.] [OE. availen, fr. F. (L. ad) + valoir to be worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See Valiant.]
    1. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
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      O, what avails me now that honor high !
      Milton.

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    2. To promote; to assist. [Obs.]
      Pope.

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      To avail one's self of, to make use of; take advantage of.

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      Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
      Milton.

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      I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
      Dickens.

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  2.       
    
    Avail, v. i. To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease. “What signs avail ?”
    Milton.

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    Words avail very little with me, young man.
    Sir W. Scott.

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  3.       
    
    Avail , n.
    1. Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail.
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      The avail of a deathbed repentance.
      Jer. Taylor.

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    2. pl. Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.
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      The avails of their own industry.
      Stoddard.

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      Syn. -- Use; benefit; utility; profit; service.

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  4.       
    
    Avail, v. t. & i. See Avale, v. [Obs.]
    Spenser.

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